CD Reviews

The Perfect Combination...Jazz and Zen!

Ellis Ivory | 06/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Kaizan Neptune is the undisputed master of the shakuhachi,a Japanese bamboo flute, especially as it has been applied to jazz! What an unusual pairing--a traditional eastern instrumentwith an indigenously western musical idiom. In his CD entitled "Jazzen" Neptune creates a beautiful and breath-taking fusion oforiental sensibility and smooth jazz, creating an ethereal soundthat is sure to calm the mind, satisfy the soul, and transport the body to places where cultures meet. With songs like On A Raft, Water's Edge, Zen Forest, Five Directions, and Essence,among others, John Neptune generates a wonderful tapestry of color, diversity of sound, and transcendence of being throughthe unmistakable and haunting tones of the shakuhachi. If you have never heard this instrument, then you're in for a treat as it is played by one of it's true masters. Originally related tomeditative practices in early zen temples, Neptune's applicationof the instrument to the jazz idiom can best be described asextraordinary!"

John Kaizan Neptune, Jazzen.

Michael Noakes | Orlando, FL USA | 03/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard this music until I got lucky and heard it on a Sunday Morning radio show. The play list led me to the title and, Amazon led me to persons who had the item for sale. Thank you Amazon!!.This sound composition is quite unlike any other I have heard before.Five very accomplished musicians play and co ordinate their instrument sounds to perfection. I was surprised to find that the CD was recorded in 1987, a further surprise was to find upon reading the sleeve notes. All the music on the CD was composed and arranged by John Kaizen Neptune.I consider this a benifit to my collection."